Hot cup adapted to retain fluid contents heated for extended periods of time

Abstract

Disclosed is a hot cup system. The system has a generally cylindrical exterior member with a cylindrical side wall and with an open upper end and an open lower end. The exterior member is molded from a thermally insulating elastomeric material. The system also has a generally cylindrical interior member with a cylindrical side wall with an open upper end and a lower end with a generally planar circular lower portion. The lower portion is formed with laterally spaced downwardly extending parallel projections. The interior member is fabricated of a thermally conductive metallic material. A circular base is next provided with a central section extending downwardly therefrom. The base is fabricated of a resilient clear elastomeric material and is coupled to the interior surface of the exterior member adjacent to the lower end thereof. A chamber is formed between the interior member and exterior member and base. A heat generating fluid is located within the chamber. A generally hemispherically shaped trigger is formed of a flexible metallic material located above the central section of the base.

What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows: 
     
       1. A new and improved hot cup system adapted to retain fluid contents heated for extended periods of time comprising, in combination: a generally cylindrical exterior member, the exterior member having a cylindrical side wall and with an open upper end and an open lower end, the exterior member being injection molded from a thermally insulating elastomeric material, preferably high density polyethylene;   a generally cylindrical interior member, the interior member having a cylindrical side wall with an open upper end and a lower end with a generally planar circular lower portion formed with two laterally spaced downwardly extending parallel projections, the interior member being fabricated of a thermally conductive metallic material, preferably stainless steel;   a circular base with an essentially hemispherical central section extending downwardly therefrom with a cylindrical extension projecting upwardly therefrom, the base being fabricated of a resilient clear elastomeric material, preferably polyethylene, with the base having a periphery with a sonic weld or spin weld coupled to the interior surface of the exterior member adjacent to the lower end thereof;   a chamber formed between the interior member and exterior member and base;   a heat generating fluid, preferably sodium acetate, located within the chamber; and   a generally hemispherically shaped trigger formed of a flexible metallic material, preferably aluminum, located between the central section of the base and the parallel projections and with upwardly extending ribs which when flexed will activate the fluid to generate heat.   
     
     
       2. A hot cup system comprising: a generally cylindrical exterior member, the exterior member having a cylindrical side wall and with an open upper end and an open lower end, the exterior member being molded from a thermally insulating elastomeric material;   a generally cylindrical interior member, the interior member having a cylindrical side wall with an open upper end and a lower end with a generally planar circular lower portion formed with laterally spaced downwardly extending parallel projections, the interior member being fabricated of a thermally conductive metallic material;   a circular base with a central section extending downwardly therefrom, the base being fabricated of a resilient clear elastomeric material, with the base coupled to the interior surface of the exterior member adjacent to the lower end thereof;   a chamber formed between the interior member and exterior member and base;   a heat generating fluid located within the chamber; and   a generally hemispherically shaped trigger formed of a flexible metallic material located above the central section of the base.   
     
     
       3. The hot cup system as set forth in claim 2 wherein the insulating elastomeric material is high density polyethylene. 
     
     
       4. The hot cup system as set forth in claim 2 wherein the interior member is fabricated of stainless steel. 
     
     
       5. The hot cup system as set forth in claim 2 wherein the base is fabricated of polyethylene. 
     
     
       6. The hot cup system as set forth in claim 2 wherein the flexible metallic material includes parallel ridges extending upwardly therefrom.